It didn't take us long to reach the surface. Bright sunlight hit us the moment we stepped outside, making us squint against the sudden glare.
"Oh, it's about time for lunch!" said Alise, putting her hand over her eyes to block the sunlight, blinking a few times.
"Yes, I am feeling a little hungry as well." Airmid agreed.
"Me too. I haven't had breakfast this morning," I continued, "But where should we go?" Alise's eyes lit up at my question as she turned to address both Airmid and me.
"We are going to the Hostess of Fertility!" she chirped, "It's been a while since I been there."
"I have heard a lot about that place, but I've never had the chance to visit. Is the food that good?" Airmid asked.
I shook my head, "The food is decent, nothing too amazing, but the prices are a little on the higher side for the taste."
"Then why is it so famous?" she asked.
"Because there is less hassle in comparison to other places, and a lot of big families go there to celebrate," I said, carefully not mentioning that the waitresses were supposedly cute—even if they were more trouble than their looks were worth.
"C'mon, let's go! I'm starving!" Alise pulled both our hands. Airmid and I exchanged a glance as Alise pulled us along. Neither of us resisted.
___________________________________________________________________________
The Hostess of Fertility was nearly empty when we arrived—we'd missed the lunch rush by at least an hour. Inside, the usual energy had died down to a lazy afternoon lull. Chloe rested her chin on her broom handle near the bar. Lunoire had claimed a table for herself, boots propped up carelessly. Anya perched on the counter, swinging her legs.
Anya's cat ears perked up the moment we walked in. "Nya? Oh! It's Arin!"
Chloe looked up as we entered the restaurant. "Well, well~ Look who decided to show up, meow." Chloe's tail swished lazily. "Haven't seen you in a while."
"I've been busy," I said, walking toward a table by the window.
"Busy with what, nya?" Anya hopped off the counter, following us with menus. "Dungeon diving? Or maybe... other activities, nya~?"
"Definitely dungeon diving," I said firmly. "Just came back from there, actually."
"Sure, sure, meow," Chloe sauntered over, her tail swishing. "That's why you haven't been around lately. Definitely not because you've been occupied with four certain someones, meow."
Lunoire finally moved from her lazy position, stretching lazily. "How are things going with your little... arrangement~ Everything still harmonious?"
"It's great, actually," I said, taking a menu from Anya. "Can we just order?"
"My, my, so defensive, meow." Chloe leaned against the table. "We're just making conversation. It's not every day someone manages what you've managed."
"What he's managed is going to give him gray hair early," Alise commented. "I've seen him stress about scheduling dates like he's planning a dungeon expedition."
"Alise!" I protested.
"What? It's true!" She grinned. "Last week you had a whole chart."
"It was not a chart—it was just... organized planning."
"Nya! A chart!" Anya giggled. "That's so cute, nya!"
Airmid, who had been quietly watching the exchange, gave a small smile. "I think it's sweet that you're putting in so much effort."
"Thank you, Airmid. At least someone appreciates the effort."
"Oh, we appreciate it too, meow~" Chloe said with a grin. "It's very entertaining to watch."
"I'm so glad my life amuses you all," I said dryly.
"It does, nya!" Anya chirped. "So, what are you ordering today?"
Before I could answer, the kitchen door swung open with a bang that made everyone jump.
"WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING STANDING AROUND?!" Mama Mia's voice boomed across the restaurant. Her imposing figure filled the doorway, arms crossed and expression stern. "We have customers, and you're all gossiping like schoolgirls!"
"But Mama Mia, there's only three customers, meow—" Chloe started.
"I don't care if there's one or one hundred! You work when there are customers!" Mama Mia's sharp eyes swept over the waitresses. "Anya, take their orders properly. Chloe, go finish sweeping—this floor isn't going to clean itself. Lunoire, get off that chair and help in the kitchen!"
"Yes, ma'am~!" They all chorused, though with varying levels of enthusiasm.
A figure emerged from the kitchen behind Mama Mia—a young woman with gray hair, carrying a tray of clean dishes toward the counter. She paused when she spotted us, and a warm smile crossed her face.
"Oh, welcome!" Syr set down her tray and approached our table, her smile brightening when she saw Alise. "Alise! It's been a while. How have you been?"
"Really busy," She replied. "Just got back from the dungeon."
"I can tell," she said, setting down her tray and approaching our table. "You look tired. Let me get you something good to eat." Her gaze shifted to Airmid and me. "And you must be from the Dea Saint. It's nice to meet you. I'm Syr, and to you, too, Arin. I don't see Ryuu with you today."
"Hello, it's been a while," I said, and motioned towards Airmid. "And as you already know her, this is Airmid. As for Ryuu, today it was just us."
"Pleasure to meet you," Airmid said politely.
"Syr, stop chatting and help take their orders!" Mama Mia called from behind the counter.
"Yes, Mama Mia!" Syr pulled out a small notepad, though she was still smiling. "So, what would you like?"
"I'll have the lunch set!" Alise declared. "With extra portions! Oh, and some of that grilled fish if you have it!"
"We do. And for you?" Syr looked at Airmid.
"The vegetable stew, please."
"And I'll have my usual," I said.
"The beef stew with bread," Syr confirmed, writing it down. "I'll get that started for you right away."
"Syr!" Mama Mia's voice rang out again.
"Coming!" Syr called back, then leaned in slightly toward us with a conspiratorial smile. "She's in a mood today. You picked a good time to visit—it's quiet now." She straightened up. "I'll have your food out soon."
It wasn't long before we got our ordered food. As Chloe set down the plates, I noticed the headband on her hair—the same one all the waitresses wore—and couldn't help imagining how Ryuu would look wearing it.
As she was originally supposed to be a waitress here. I bet she'd look impossibly cute. I thought as Chloe noticed my gaze, her eyes turned narrow, and a teasing grin was plastered on her face.
"My, my~ What are you staring at, meow?" Chloe purred, leaning in closer with that mischievous grin. "Could it be you're interested in me now, meow? First four girlfriends, and now you're eyeing the staff?"
"I was looking at the headband," I said flatly.
"The headband, meow?" Her grin widened. "That's a new excuse. Usually, men say they're looking at my ears or my tail, meow~."
"I'm serious. I was literally looking at the headband."
"Sure, sure, meow." She straightened up, placing a hand on her hip. "Though I have to say, even if you were interested, you're unfortunately not my type, meow. You're a bit too old for me. I prefer them younger and more innocent, meow," She said with an exaggerated sigh. "All that experience with four women has probably corrupted you beyond saving, meow."
"You're so annoying," I muttered.
"That's what makes me charming, meow~" She winked. "Besides, you have your hands full already. Four is more than enough for anyone, meow."
"Actually," I said, deciding to just ask directly, "do you have any spare headbands like that? The ones you're all wearing?"
Chloe blinked, her teasing expression momentarily replaced with genuine surprise. "Nya? You actually were looking at the headband, meow?"
"That's what I've been saying."
"Why would you want one, meow? Planning to work here as a waiter?" She giggled at the thought. "Mama Mia would probably pay good money to have you work here, meow."
"It's not for me," I said simply.
Chloe's eyes gleamed with understanding, and her grin turned absolutely wicked. "Ohhh~ I see, meow. You want one of your girlfriends to wear it, don't you, meow?"
"That's surprisingly astute of you," I said dryly.
"Nya! That's so cute!" Anya had somehow appeared beside our table again, her tail swishing excitedly. "Which one, nya? The cool elf? The princess? The serious one with glasses? Or the sword princess?"
"Lion," Alise said suddenly, her eyes lighting up with realization. "It's for Lion, isn't it?"
I didn't bother denying it. "Yes. I think she'd look cute in one."
There was a moment of silence before all three waitresses burst into delighted giggles.
"Oh, that's adorable, meow!" Chloe said, her tail swishing rapidly. "The serious, justice-obsessed Gale Wind in a waitress headband, meow!"
"She would look cute, nya~" Anya agreed enthusiastically. "With her blonde hair and those pretty blue eyes, nya! Oh, I can picture it already!"
"Though I have to ask, meow~" Chloe leaned against the table again. "Does she know you're getting this for her, meow? Or is this going to be a surprise?"
"A surprise," I admitted. "Though knowing Ryuu, she'll probably turn bright red and refuse to wear it."
"But she'll wear it eventually, won't she?" Alise asked with a knowing smile.
"...Probably," I conceded.
"That's so sweet, nya!" Anya clasped her hands together. "You're such a romantic, Arin, nya!"
"It's not that complicated," I said. "I just thought she'd like it."
"That's literally what makes it sweet, meow~" Chloe said with a knowing grin
"He probably has a whole list," Alise said, clearly enjoying this. "Things he wants to see each of them wear, places he wants to take them—"
"I do not have a list," I said, my voice rising more than I had wanted.
"The chart says otherwise," Alise countered smugly.
"That was for scheduling! Which, for your information, didn't even work, so I scrapped it."
"Sure it was," she said, completely unconvinced.
Chloe straightened up, still grinning. "Well, you're in luck, meow. We do have spare headbands in the back. Mama Mia orders them in bulk since they're part of our uniform. I'll grab you one after we finish up here, meow."
"Thank you," I said, meaning it despite the relentless teasing.
"But you'll owe me, meow~" She added with a wink. "And I expect a full report on Ryuu's reaction when you give it to her, meow!"
"I'm not giving you a report on my girlfriend's reactions."
"So stingy, meow~" Chloe pouted theatrically before bouncing away to check on other tasks.
"You really do pay attention, don't you?" Airmid said softly, a slight smile on her face.
I shrugged, feeling oddly self-conscious under her gaze. "It's just a headband."
"And it's thoughtful," she corrected gently.
"She's right," Alise agreed, taking another bite of her food. "Though I have to say, I'm kind of jealous. When are you going to get me something cute?"
"You're not my girlfriend, Alise."
"Details!" She waved her fork dismissively. "We're team members AND friends. That should count for something!"
"It counts for me making sure you don't die in the dungeon."
"How romantic," she said sarcastically.
I shook my head, returning to my food. The teasing was relentless, but at least I'd get what I came for.
I could already picture it—Ryuu's face turning that particular shade of pink it always did when caught off guard, her eyes ducking away before glancing up at me through her lashes, trying and failing to look stern while wearing a frilly waitress headband.
Yeah. Definitely worth it.